SANTA CRUZ — From approving a gas-powered leaf blower ban in the city of Santa Cruz to re-approving the Cruz Hotel project and placing a soda tax on the November ballot, the Santa Cruz City Council tackled numerous items at the body’ last meeting before a month-long summer break. After approving the meeting’s consent agenda, which included items related to the restoration of West Cliff Drive and the Santa Cruz Wharf, among others, the City Council voted to unanimously adopt a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers , which will become effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The final adoption of the ordinance means that as of next year, property owners in the city are prohibited from using gas-powered leaf blowers on their property at any time. The property owner is also responsible for the use of the gas-powered devices on their property, despite the user, and will receive a warning for the first violation and escalating fines for subsequent violations. The use of gas-powered generators to charge batteries for an electric leaf blower is also prohibited in the ordinance alongside blowing debris and waste into a neighbor’s yard, street, sidewalk or storm drain.
Exceptions to the new ordinance include land parcels that are 10 acres or larger, discluding homeowners associations, and certain city parks such as DeLaveaga Park, Depot Park, Harvey West Park, Neary Lagoon, San Lorenzo Park, the Rail Trail, University Terrace Park, the Riverwalk and West Cliff are all exempt from the prohibition. Fol.
